The royal family has turned its stately home into Save-A-Palace – cutting more than $8 million from its yearly expenses.

Queen Elizabeth and her blue-blooded brood cut the fat by reducing the family’s travel costs and slashing the budget on the upkeep of their eight homes in Britain, Buckingham Palace announced yesterday.

The budget came in at just $17 million – down from more than $25 million. “The royal household has achieved substantial savings and better value for money,” a spokesman said.

It was the second straight year the royals have disclosed details of travel costs in their quest to make the monarchy less expensive and more open and modern.

The cuts were achieved by making fewer pricey trips on the royal train and renting a modern helicopter instead of flying to engagements – or between palaces – in two Royal Air Force choppers. The royal yacht Britannia – a continual money pit – was also scrapped.

A royal-household official, Sir Michael Peat, said, “Costs continue to reduce, a number of exciting projects are in course, and the buildings have never been in better condition. In short, another satisfactory year.”

The queen now pays income tax, supports relatives previously on the government payroll – and has opened Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to paying visitors.